Osvaldo Alonso, last of the original Sounders, signs with Minnesota

Seattle Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso heads the ball during an MLS match in September. Alonso, the last member of the Sounders' first MLS roster, signed with Minnesota United on Thursday.(Photo: Ted S. Warren, AP)

The Seattle Sounders all-time leader in appearances, starts, and minutes will play for a new team this season.

On Thursday, Minnesota United FC officially announced the signing of midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, the last of the original Sounders who began with the team in its debut season of 2009.

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer, who has coached Alonso since his arrival in 2009, spoke glowingly about one of the franchise's more iconic players.

"I feel fortunate to have been able to coach such a tremendous player," Schmetzer said. "We watched his game evolve, his influence grow to where he eventually led us as captain to our first MLS Cup. I want to personally thank him for his play for the last 10 years. We will miss ‘El Corazon.’”

Alonso, a native of San Cristobal, Cuba, is a five-time team MVP (2010-2013, 2016), four-time MLS All-Star (2011-2014) and a 2012 MLS Best XI selection. His 339 appearances across all competitions are just 13 behind Zach Scott for the most in Sounders history, dating back to 1974.

“Despite his numerous accolades, I think his contributions on the field have gone somewhat underappreciated, as he has been one of the best players across the league during his time in Seattle,” Sounders director and VP of soccer Chris Henderson said. "He has been integral to so many of the club’s most memorable moments and will always be a member of the Sounders family. I can’t thank him enough and wish him the best of luck going forward.”

Alonso was a part of four Lamar Hunt US Open Cup titles (2009-11, 2014), the 2014 Supporters Shield winners and the 2016 MLS Cup championship.

“From the get-go, Ozzie looked out for me,” Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “I felt that he would be a very good influence on me, personally and also as a player. He is a leader, a dynamic player, and just overall what a professional should be. I always viewed him as a complete package and was personally very excited to play alongside him and watch his habits.”

Sounders pick Air Force midfielder in draft

The Sounders selected midfielder Tucker Bone from the Air Force Academy with the 20th pick in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft on Friday.

In four seasons at the Air Force Academy, Bone was a two time United Soccer Coaches All-American and was named the 2018 WAC Player of the year. Bone was born in Tacoma but lists Granite Bay, California, as his hometown.

As an athlete from a service academy, Bone may not suit up for the Sounders as soon as other picks because he’s yet to serve his post-graduate military commitment. According to Mitchell Northam of Pro Soccer USA, Bone could be accepted into the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), which helps athletes fulfill their military commitments while still playing professional sports.

In the second round, the Sounders selected Creighton’s Joel Rydstrand. The Swedish-born player was a four-year starter for the Blue Jays at midfielder. In 2018, Rydstrand was named Big East Midfielder of the Year.

MLS coaching award named for Sigi Schmid

The MLS announced Friday that the league’s Coach of the Year award would be named in honor of former Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid, who died Dec. 25 at age 65.

Schmid coached three teams in MLS: the Sounders, Columbus and two stints with the LA Galaxy. His 240 wins are the most in MLS history. Schmid won the MLS Coach of the Year award in 1999 and 2008.

“Sigi was an important part of our league from the very early years in our history, and he had a significant impact on everyone he touched throughout his life and coaching career,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement.

Sounders' 2019 schedule set

The Seattle Sounders will open up the 2019 season against the league’s newest franchise, FC Cincinnati, on March 2 at CenturyLink Field.

Among the highlights of the 2019 schedule are the yearly Cascadia Cup matches with Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Sounders will play at Vancouver March 30 and host them June 29. Portland returns to Seattle on July 21 for the first time since the Sounders lost to the Timbers in the 2018 MLS Cup Western Conference semifinals.

The Sounders will welcome the reigning MLS Cup Champions, Atlanta United, on July 14. In the season finale, the Sounders will host Minnesota United FC on Oct. 6.